Class blog for Anth 249: Evolution and human disease. We will be responding to class readings and engaging with the wider network of blogs and online content on evolutionary medicine. We might also make up some fun projects along the way.

Thursday, January 17, 2013

Well hello!
My name is Manmit, and I am a freshman currently studying Molecular and
Cellular Biology with a minor in Anthropology; perhaps even double-major if
I've the courage! Surprisingly, many of us are interested in the pre-health
field, and to add to that list I am going pre-dental. This past summer I took
an introductory cultural Anthro course where we briefly covered evolution and
immediately became interested. In my mind I see biology, anthropology, and
dentistry coming together as one unit enabling scientists and doctors to
innovate and advance science and medicine.
ANTH 249 is one of many biological anthropology courses that I feel is able to
offer me an enjoyable learning experience. Human evolution is a subject matter
we all can relate to; it's like learning about one's ancestors and how an
individual came to be the way they are today. Additionally, I find human
diseases and infections particularly fascinating. For example, much of my family
are immigrants to America from India, and there are certain noticeable health
differences between them and myself; i.e rate of metabolism, effects of sugar,
vision, and of most interest, oral hygiene/problems. From this course, I would
love to learn more about not only new diseases, but they're progression and
development, or lack thereof, throughout
history. A few blogs I felt were strongly related to
this course including one involving my own anthropological interests include:http://www.flapsblog.net/2012/08/dental-health-associated-with-alzheimer.htmlhttp://www.philly.com/philly/blogs/evolution/Catching-Diseases-from-our-Evolutionary-Cousins.html This link introduces anthropological and
biological studies reflecting the evolution of not only dentistry but the
overall mouth structure. This blog, by Dr. Sorrentino, highlights the startling
acknowledgement of nonexistent teeth decay before the age of agriculture. Throughout
his blog article, the value he places on how our diet and agriculture significantly
reducing our oral health surprised me. It made me reflect that even though
2,500,000 years have passed, all homo sapiens still share fundamental characteristics
of oral health and have similarly been impacted by innovation and change. Throughout
the rest of his blog, Dr. Sorrentino sheds light on issues even briefly
mentioned on the first day of class such as stress and the body’s
fight-or-flight response. The teeth, as with the rest of the body, have been
impacted by such stress and throughout time have changed shape to adapt to
culture changes as well as stressers.

In
short, this blog gives me great excitement that even a specific topic like
dentistry is strongly tied to the foundation of anthropology. I am looking
forward to a great semester with you all!